A former student of photographer Diane Arubus, Ikkō Narahara took a class with her in 1970 and because he didn't speak English he taped her classes hoping to go home and learn by listening to them. A narration of these Diane Arbus class tapes can be heard in this 1972 video featuring Diane's daughter, Doon Arbus.

Famous for his use of the wide angle lens, Narahara's work has a surreal quality to it with its high contrast, strong use of shadows and mysterious figures. Many of his images also have a fluid (almost film-like) movement as seen in this image above of a monk running through the halls of his Zen monastery.

I only came to know of Narahara's work today while watching the Diane Arbus video mentioned above... and I instantly became a fan.